Well, if it was me doing the shooting, I would feel very confident in being able to place a shot in the ribs and would have no problem whatsoever using the Gameking.That's generally where I always aim regardless of what I'm using. But since this is my son's first opportunity to shoot a deer (at least I hope he gets the opportunity), I just don't know if he's going to get a case of the "fever" andbe unable to calmly place the shot where it needs to go. So with that in mind, I'm just sort of thinking a more substantial bullet might be a better option for the time being. He's a good shot when it comes topaper targets, but he's never shot at a live animal before. I mean, he may be cool as a cucumber, but then again, he may be shaking like a leaf.